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Jeff Duncan's 2017 Saints Mock Draft 3.0
Updated March 14, 2017
Posted March 14, 2017
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Analyzing the Saints' draft game plan
The New Orleans Saints' 2017 draft became a lot more interesting after the trade for Brandin Cooks, which netted the club an extra first-round pick (No. 32 overall) and third-round pick (No. 103). The Saints now have five of the first 103 picks in one of the deepest drafts in years.
Here’s how I think the first 10 picks will go:
Browns: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
49ers: DT Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Bears: DE Solomon Thomas, Stanford
Jaguars: FS Malik Hooker, Ohio State
Titans: SS Jamal Adams, LSU
Jets: RB Leonard Fournette, LSU
Chargers: CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
Panthers: RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State
Bengals: ILB Reuben Foster, Alabama
Bills: QB DeShaun Watson, North Carolina
What that in mind, here's how I see the Saints' draft taking shape:
Charles Rex Arbogast

Round 1 (No. 11 overall): Defensive End Taco Charlton, Michigan
The Saints will have plenty of options if they stay at No. 11 but I don’t think they can pass up Charlton. We all know pass rush is the Saints’ greatest need and this selectin could come down to a choice between Charlton vs. Derek Barnett. Barnett is more consistent and productive. Charlton is more athletic and precocious. Tough call but Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis are naturally aggressive and the ceiling for Charlton is greater than Barnett’s. The 6-5, 277-pound Charlton has tremendous size and has been compared to Justin Tuck and Chandler Jones. The Saints would gladly take that kind of talent alongside Cameron Jordan, Sheldon Rankins and Nick Fairley. I also loved this comment from an NFL scout about Charlton in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Loved by his teammates and loves the game of football."
MLive.com

Round 1 (32): Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
I know what you’re thinking: Defense?! The Saints need defensive help not a backup quarterback, you idiot! I get it. But this pick is a luxury item and the Saints can afford to use it as such. Mahomes might be the most talented quarterback prospect in the draft and the Saints have to start thinking about Brees’ eventual replacement. There’s an advantage to taking Mahomes in Round 1 instead of waiting until Round 2. First-round picks receive five-year contracts compared to four-year deals for second-rounders. In the Saints’ case, the extra year would be invaluable, allowing the club to keep Brees around for the foreseeable future and groom Mahomes as the heir apparent.
David J. Phillip, AP

Round 2 (42): Cornerback Fabian Moreau, UCLA
Moreau is one of the fastest risers in the draft and he very well might be off the board at this point. The Saints could also consider a linebacker or even another pass rusher at this spot. In fact, I considered edge rushers Tim Willams and T.J. Watt here and wouldn’t argue with the Saints taking any one of them because, like cornerbacks, you can never have enough good pass rushers.
Michael Conroy, AP

Round 3: (76): Defensive end Jordan Willis, Kansas State
As noted above, you can never have enough pass rushers and Willis is one of the best in the draft. The 6-4, 255-pound Willis is a different kind of player than Charlton and would give the Saints another pass rusher for sub-packages in passing situations. Willis was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after leading his team with 17.5 tackles for loss and topping the conference with 11.5 sacks. Willis is essentially a younger version of Darryl Tapp and would fill his situational role in passing situations.
Charlie Riedel, AP

Round 3 (103): Tight end Jake Butt, Michigan
Butt is an extremely productive player at a position where the Saints could use a youth transfusion. At Michigan, Butt was voted a captain and considered a leader on and off the field. He would give the Saints depth and flexibility at a key position in Sean Payton's offense.
Rob Schumacher, AP

Round 6 (196) Linebacker Jordan Evans, Oklahoma
Evans is a bit of a sleeper. He wasn’t invited to the Combine but opened eyes by running a time of 4.51 seconds at the Oklahoma Pro Day, an impressive time for a 6-2, 232-pounder. He led the Sooners in tackles (98) and interceptions (four), including two returned for scores.
Bryan Terry, NewsOK.com

Round 7 (229): Wide receiver Krishawn Hogan, Marian
Hogan is the kind of late-round sleeper the Saints love to draft. He dominated at NAIA Marian, where he set school records for career receptions (263), touchdowns (42) and yards (4,395) in three seasons. At 6-2, 225 with 4.5 speed, he has the physical tools to play in the NFL but is raw. In the Saints’ system, he’d have time to develop and could become a later-round discovery. He’s one of the most intriguing stories in the draft and well worth the sixth round investment.